Box construction



May 30, 1967 A. GREENE ET AL BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed June 24, 1965 FIG.4

FIG.2

I7 ]VENTORS Abbot Greene Paul Demen ATTORNEY .able blank of sheet material which United States Patent Ofiice 3,322,323 Patented May 30, 1967 3,322,323 BOX CONSTRUCTION Abbot Greene, 24 Carter Road, and Paul Densen, 27 Colony Drive 13., both of West Orange, NJ. 07052 Filed June 24, 1965, Ser. No. 466,751 15 Claims. (Cl. 229-37) This invention relates to a box construction, and more particularly to a collapsible box which can be readily erected from a collapsed position to an erected position, and which is especially constructed so that a plurality of similarly erected boxes can be detachably connected in either the side-by-side and/or end-to-end relationship to define a cluster of boxes which can be readily handled as a single unit to facilitate the handling-of the same.

Many articles are packed in cardboard cartons and the like to facilitate handling and shipping of the articles packed therein. Frequently, such cartons while relative- 1y light in weight when filled, are nevertheless bulky and cumbersome to handle. For this reason, each such carton or box was required to be handled one by one, as in loading or unloading the same onto a vehicle, truck, freight car, and the like. Consequently, in handling and/or storing such boxes as in loading or unloading a truck, warehouse, freight car, or the like, a considerable amount of time and labor was expended in moving each such carton one at a time, even though a loader was capable of lifting a weight much greater than that of the loaded carton. Consequently, if a loader was able to simultaneously lift a plurality of such bulky cartons, the number of handlings or trips required to load or unload a freight car, for example, can be reduced to a minimum.

It, therefore, is an object of this invention to provide an improved box construction specifically constructed so that a plurality of similarly constructed boxes may be detachably connected in a simple and expedient manner to one another to form a cluster that can be readily handled as easily as a single individual box thereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide a box construction having external portions thereof coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive whichwill adhere only to a surface coated with a similar pressure adhesive material.

It is another object of this invention to provide a box construction which can be readily collapsed between an operative and inoperative position whereby a similar blank of collapsed boxes may be stacked one on the other without adhering to one another.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved box construction which can be readily erected from a collapsed position into an erected box position, and which is provided with coated portions of a pressure sensitive adhesive tothat a plurality of similarly constructed boxes in the erected position thereof can be detachably connected in side-by-side and/or end-to-end relationship to define a cluster of such boxes.

In accordance with this invention, the foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained by a box construction which is preferably formed of a foldcan be readily stacked one on the other in the intermediate or collapsed position of the box, and which box in the erected position thereof can be readily detachably connected in either side by-side and/or end-to-end relationship to define a cluster of similarly constructed boxes. Essentially, the box comprises a blank of foldable sheet material arranged to define a plurality of side panels to define a closed figure in the erected position thereof. Top and bottom closure means are provided for closing the ends of the box. Means in the form of a layer or coating of a pressure sensitive adhesive material is applied to the external surfaces of the blank. In accordance with this invention,

a layer or coating of pressure sensitive material is applied to the side panels of the box which are co-planarly disposed in the collapsed position thereof. Accordingly, the arrangement is such that a plurality of blanks in the intermediately folded or collapsed position thereof can be readily stacked one on the other without causing adjacent collapsed blanks to adhere to one another. If desired, the closure means connected to the opposed ends of one of the coated panels may also be provided with a layer .of pressure sensitive material on the exterior surface thereof. Thus, the erected position of the box, at least two sides, and a portion of the top and bottom end closures of the erected box are provided with an exposed coating of pressure sensitive adhesive. When similarly constructed boxes are disposed into contacting sideby-side relationship with the coated panel portions thereof disposed contiguous to one another, the coated portions of one box will adhere to the adjacent coated portions of another box. With a plurality of such boxes thus detachably secured together, it will, therefore, become apparent that an operator charged with the task of loading and unloading such cartons onto a truck, for example, may readily lift several of those boxes even though he can only grasp one of them.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a readily collapsible box construction provided with external coated portions of a pressure sensitive adhesive that will adhesively secure or connect to a similar box when the respective coated portions thereof are disposed into contacting relationship with respect to one another.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision whereby the box construction can be readily collapsed between an erected and collapsed position in such a manner that the blanks of similar collapsed boxes can be readily stacked one on the other without having the coated portions of adjacent blanks adhering to one another.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that the blank defining the box is formed from a single blank of sheet material which is die-cut and scored so as to define a plurality of side panels connected in end to-end relationship to define a closed figure, and which has connected to the upper lower ends of the respective side panel hinged flaps which are folded relative to the respective side panels to form the top and bottom closures of the box.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a plurality of similar constructed boxes that can be readily detachably connected to one another to form a cluster so that a plurality of such boxes when secured to one another may be handled with the ease and facility of a single box.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a box construction which can be readily stacked in a manner so that a plurality of boxes are positively maintained in stacked position one on the other, boxes so stacked are prohibited from falling.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings in Which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates the outer side of an expanded blank from which a box is formed in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the perspective view of an erected box construction formed of the blank construction from FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the collapsed or intermediate folded position of the box in FIGURE 2, to show how a plurality of such collapsed boxes can be readily stacked one on the other.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of box constructions, as

shown in FIGURE 2, adhesively secured together in side-by-side relationship to define a cluster in accordance with the instant invention.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating how the box construction of FIGURE 2 can be clustered in either side-by-side and/ or end-to-end relationship.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGURE 1 an expanded blank from which a rectangular slotted type container or box 11 is formed in accordance with this invention. As shown, the blank 10 from which a box is formed is die-cut and scored to define a plurality of panels 12, 13, 14., connected in side-by-side relationship. The arrangement is such that the respective side panels 12, 13, 14, and 15 can be readily folded along transversely extended fold lines F1, F2, and F3 to define a substantially rectangularly shaped container or box 11, as disclosed in FIGURE 2. The upper and lower edge portions of the respective side panels have hingedly connected thereto end closure fiaps 12A, 12B; 13A, 13B; 14A, 14B; 15A, 15B; which in the erected portion of the container are adapted to be folded to define the top and bottom of the container 11. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the width of the respective closure flaps are coextensive with the width of the panel connected thereto. As best seen in FIGURE 2 the respective top and bottom closure flaps are each provided with a width which is substantially equal to one-half the width of the adjacent side panel. Accordingly, in the erected box position, the respective free edge of the complementary top and bottom closure flaps, hingedly connected to the opposed side panels of the box, are arranged to be disposed in contiguous relationship with respect to one another. Suitable means, e.g., gluing and staples or the like may be provided for securing the end closure flaps in their folded or sealed position as indicated in FIGURE 2.

In the collapsed or intermediate position of the blank 10, the opposed edge of the blanks are disposed into contiguous relationship and suitably glued, or secured by tape so that the blank may be readily folded between an erected position as shown in FIGURE 2 and a collapsed or intermediate folded position, as shown in FIGURE 3.

Referring to FIGURE 3, it will be noted that the blank '10 is folded so that a pair of panels 14, 15 are disposed in overlying relationship to the other pair of panels 12, 13. Accordingly, a plurality of such collapsed blanks 10 may be readily stacked one on the other to conserve storage space thereof until ready for use.

Since the box construction of the type herein described is commonly used to receive various articles for shipment, such boxes are frequently quite bulky, even though when loaded they may be relatively light in weight. Consequently, because of such bulk, a person handling such boxes may not conveniently handle more than one such box at a given time. Consequently, in accordance with this invention, a means is provided whereby an operator or handler of such boxes may conveniently lift two or more such cartons or boxes, even though previous to this invention considerable difiiculty would have been encountered in handling a plurality of similar boxes.

This is attained by detachably securing a plurality of such boxes in a cluster of two or more such boxes. As shown, this is attained by applying to prescribed external portions of the blank or box, a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 16 of the type which will adhere only to surface which is coated with a similar pressure sensitive adhesive.

As best seen in FIGURE 3, the layer 16 of such pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to at least two of the panels 14, 15 of the box or blank, and preferably to the two panels which are co-planarly disposed in the collapsed or intermediate folded position of the box or blank. In the illustrated embodiment, the layer of pressure sensitive adhesive 16 is applied in the form of two spaced strips which extend transversely across two adjacent panels at a predetermined interval. Accordingly, in the erected position of the box as shown in FIGURE 2, two adjacent side panels 14-, 15 of the box construction are provided with laterally extending strips or coated portions of a pressure sensitive adhesive. As seen in FIGURE 4, by disposing the coated side portions of two or more similarly constructed boxes, as herein described, into contacting relationship, the boxes 11 become detachably secured as the coated portion of one box will adhere to the coated portion of a similar box. Accordingly, the force of the adhesion between adjacent boxes is sufliciently great so that boxes so joined can be readily handled as a unit, yet rendered readily separatable without destroying the continuity of the individual box. Accordingly, even though the boxes are relatively bulky, but light in weight, a handler may handle several boxes simultaneously and, therefore, minimize much of the motion which was heretofore expended in handling such individual boxes.

In order that the box construction herein described may be also stacked and detachably secured to form clusters in which the boxes are stacked in end-to-end relationship, the closure flaps connected to at least one of the coated panels of the box are likewise provided with a layer of pressure sensitive material on the external surface thereof. As seen in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, and 4, at least one of the closure flaps 15A, 15B at both the top and bottom end of the box have an external surface thereof coated with a pressure sensitive material. Accordingly, when similarly constructed boxes are stacked on top of another, the coated portions of one of the top closing flaps of one box will adhere to the bottom flap of the box stacked thereon when properly placed thereon. It will be noted that when such boxes are stacked in a column, that the positive adhesion afforded between adjacent stacked boxes 11 will function to prevent any such column or stack of boxes from collapsing when subjected to jarring, as for example in shipment by truck or rail. Consequently, the positive stacking afforded by the adhesion obtained between the adjacent end portions of boxes so stacked further minimizes damages to the articles packed therein.

While the instant invention has been described with re spect to a particular box construction, it will be readily apparent that the concept described may be applied to any suitable box construction wherein portions of the sides and/or ends of the box are externally coated with a layer of pressure sensitive material so that the same can detachably adhere to a box construction having a similar coated portion thereon. Accordingly, it is conceivable that a box having three, four or more sides can be coated so as to form a cluster pack as herein described and shown.

While the instant invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications of the same may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: V

1. In a box construction comprising a foldable blank defining a plurality of side panels disposed in side-by-side relationship and said side panels being readily adapted to be folded about a foldline disposed between the respective contiguous sides of adjacent panels to define a closed quadrilateral figure adapted to be folded between a knocked-down inoperative position and an erected boxforming position, and including top and bottom flaps connected to the opposed ends of each panel to define the end walls of said box in the erected position thereof, the improvement of;

(a) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive covering an external portion of at least one panel of said box whereby similarly coated boxes may be adhesively secured together in side-by-side relationship to form a cluster of boxes which may be readily handled as a unit, and

(b) a coating ofpressure-sensitive material applied to the external surface portion of the exposed flap extending from the ends of one of said coated side panels so that in the collapsed position of said blank, all the coated portions thereof are disposed on the same side of the collapsed blank so that similar collapsed blanks may be readily stacked one on the other without adhering to one another and in the erected position of said blank, a plurality of similarly erected boxes may be clustered in either side-by-side relationship or stacked relationship one on the other.

2. A box construction comprising;

(a) a foldable blank defining a plurality of panels disposed in side-by-side relationship,

(b) said panels being readily adapted to be folded about a foldline disposed between the respective contiguous sides of adjacent panels to form a rectangular box,

(c) top and bottom flaps connected to the opposed ends of each panel to define the end walls of said box in the erected position thereof,

(d) means connecting the opposed ends of said blank to an intermediate folded position of said blank whereby the same may be readily erected between a collapsed position and erected position of said box,

(e) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive covering portions of two adjacent panels of said box whereby similarly constructed boxes may be adhesively secured together in side-by-side relationship in the erected position of said box to form a cluster of boxes, and

(f) said coated panels being co-planarly disposed in the intermediate folded position of said blank so that said intermediate folded position of said blanks may be stacked one on the other without adhering to one another.

3. A box construction comprising (a) a foldable blank defining a plurality of panels disposed in side-by-side relationship,

(b) said panels being readily adapted to be folded about a fold line disposed between the respective contiguous sides of adjacent panels to form a rectangular box,

(c) top and bottom flaps connected ends of each panel to define the end in the erected position thereof,

(d) means connecting the opposed ends of said blank to an intermediate folded position of said blank whereby the same may be readily erected between a collapsed position and erected position of said box,

(e) a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive covering portions of two adjacent panels of said box whereby similarly constructed boxes may be adhesively secured together in side-by-side relationship in the erected position of said box to form a cluster of boxes, and

(f) said coated panels being co-planarly disposed in the intermediate folded position of said blank so that said intermediate folded position of said blanks may be stacked one on the other without adhering to one another, and said top and bottom flaps connected to the ends of one of the side coated panels are coated with a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive material.

4. A box cluster composing:

(a) a plurality of similarly constructed boxes,

(h) each of said box including a blank having transversely extending foldlines to define a plurality of side forming panels adapted to be rectangularly disposed in the erected position of said blank,

(c) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive covering a portion of two adjacent side panels of said blank, (d) said coated side panels being co-planarly disposed in the collapsed position of said blank so that a plurality of similar blanks may be stacked one on the other without adhering to one another, and

to the opposed walls of said box (e) each of said boxes being similarly coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive so that said box can be detachably secured when the corresponding coated side panels of two such boxes are disposed into sideby-side contacting relationship.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein each of the side panels of the box is equal.

6. A collapsible box construction adapted to fold between an erected position and a collapsed position and adapted to be detachably connected to a similarly con structed box in the erected position thereof to form a cluster to facilitate the handling in storage and/or loading of the same comprising:

(a) a blank of foldable material having a plurality of spaced transversely extending foldlines to define a plurality of side panels rectangularly disposed in the erected position of said blank,

(b) top and bottom closure flaps hingedly connected to the opposed ends of said side Walls,

(0) means for connecting the opposed ends of said blank in the erected position thereof to define the box, and

(d) means positioned on the external surface of two adjacent side panels for detachably securing at least two similar boxes in side-to-side contacting relationship so that a plurality of such connected boxes can be handled as a single unit, and

(e) a coating of pressure-sensitive material applied to the external surface portion of the exposed flap extending from the ends of one of said coated side panels so that in the collapsed position of said blank, all the coated portions thereof are disposed on the same side of the collapsed blank so that similar collapsed blanks may be readily stacked one on the other without adhering to one another, and in the erected position of said blank, a plurality of similarly erected boxes may be clustered in either sideby-side relationship or stacked relationship one on the other.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 whereby the means for detachably securing at least two similar boxes includes a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive of the type that will adhere only to itself, and said blanks being coated so that in the collapsed position thereof similar blanks may be stacked one on the other without adhering to one another.

8. A box comprising:

(a) a plurality of regularly disposed side panels arranged to define a closed figure whereby said panels can be readily folded between a collapsed position and an erected box position,

(b) means defining a top and bottom for said box,

(c) and means for adhesively securing a plurality of like boxes on side-by-side relationship to one another and/or in stacked relationship one on top of the other,

(d) said latter means including a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the side panel, and to top and bottom means of said box so that like boxes may be secured together when the coated portions of said boxes are placed in contacting relationship, and

(e) a coating of pressure-sensitive rnaterial applied to the external surface portion of the means defining the top and bottom of said box which extend from the ends of one of said coated side panels so that in the collapsed position of said blank, all the coated portions thereof are disposed on the same side of the collapsed blank so that similar collapsed blanks may be readily stacked one on the other without adhering to one another, and in the erected position of said blank, a plurality of similarly erected boxes may be clustered in either side-by-side relationship or stacked relationship one on the other.

9. A box construction comprising:

(a) a blank of sheet material defining opposed side panels connected in end-to-end relationship to define in the erected folded position of the blank a closed quadrilateral figure,

(b) closure flaps extending from and hingedly connected to the opposed ends of each of said panels, (c) said flaps being substantially coextensive in length with respect to the width of their connected side panels,

(d) a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the surface portion of two adjacent panels on the external surface of said blank,

(e) and a coating of pressure sensitive material applied to the external surface portion of the exposed flaps extending from the ends of one of said coated side panels so that in the collapsed position of said blank, all the coated portions thereof are disposed on the same side of the collapsed blank so that similar blanks may be readily stacked one on the other without adhering to one another, and in the erected position of said blank, a plurality of similarly erected boxes may be clustered in either side-by-side relationship of stacked relationship one on the other.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein the adhesive coating is applied to the side panel in parallel stripes, and over the entire external area on said flaps.

11. A box construct-ion comprising:

(a) a blank of sheet material defining a plurality of equal sized side panels connected in side-by-side relationship to define in the erected folded position of the blank a regular closed figure,

(b) closure flaps extending from and hingedly connected to the opposed ends of each of said panels,

(c) said flaps and the respective connected panel being substantially coextensive in width,

((1) means for detachably connecting a plurality of similar shaped boxes erected from said blank together to form a cluster.

(e) said means including a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive,

(f) said adhesive being of the type that will adhere to a similar adhesive only,

( g) said coating including a stripe extending transversely of a panel of said box so that in the collapsed position said blanks may be stacked one on the other without adhering to one another.

12. A box construction which is both collapsible and stackable into clusters of similarly constructed, detachably connected boxes comprising:

(a) a blank of sheet material defining a plurality of side panels connected in side-by-side arrangement to define in the erected position a closed quadrilateral figure,

(13) each of said side panels being of uniform width so that in the collapsed intermediate folded position of said blank, a pair of said panels overlie the other pair of said panels,

(c) closure flaps extending from and hingedly connected to the opposed ends of each of said side panels,

(d) said flap being substantially coextensive in width with respect to their connected panels, (e) means for detachably connect-ing a plurality of said boxes :in the erected position of its blank to define a cluster of said boxes,

(f) said latter means including a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive coating a portion of at least two side panels of said blank,

(g) said coated side panels being adjacent and coplanar to one another in the collapsed intermediate folded position of said blank so that a plurality of said collapsed blanks may be stacked one on the other so that the coated side panels of one blank is contiguous to the uncoated side panels of the next adjacent blank stacked thereon, and

(h) whereby said blanks in the erected position permit a plurality of similar constructed boxes to be detachably connected when the coated side panels of one box is disposed contiguous to the coated side panel of a similar box whereby said boxes may be clustered in side-by-side relationship.

13. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein the closure flap connected to one of said coated side panels is also coated with a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive so that like boxes may be detachably stacked in end-toend relationship.

14. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein the coated portions of said side panels comprise a transversely extending strip of adhesive.

15. The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein entire external area of said coated flap is covered with said adhesive.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 2/1959 Germany.

GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A BOX CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A FOLDABLE BLANK DEFINING A PLURALITY OF SIDE PANELS DISPOSED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP AND SAID SIDE PANELS BEING READILY ADAPTED TO BE FOLDED ABOUT A FOLDLINE DISPOSED BETWEEN THE RESPECTIVE CONTIGUOUS SIDES OF ADJACENT PANELS TO DEFINE A RESPECTIVE QUADRILATERAL FIGURE ADAPTED TO BE FOLDED BETWEEN A KNOCKED-DOWN INOPERATIVE POSITION AND AN ERECTED BOXFORMING POSITION, AND INCLUDING TOP AND BOTTOM FLAPS CONNECTED TO THE OPPOSED ENDS OF EACH PANEL TO DEFINE THE END WALLS OF SAID BOX IN THE ERECTED POSITION THEREOF, THE IMPROVEMENT OF; (A) A LAYER OF PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE COVERING AN EXTERNAL PORTION OF AT LEAST ONE PANEL OF SAID BOX WHEREBY SIMILARLY COATED BOXES MAY BE ADHESIVELY SECURED TOGETHER IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP TO FORM A CLUSTER OF BOXES WHICH MAY BE READILY HANDLED AS A UNIT, AND (B) A COATING OF PRESSURE-SENSITIVE MATERIAL APPLIED TO THE EXTERNAL SURFACE PORTION OF THE EXPOSED FLAP EXTENDING FROM THE ENDS OF ONE OF SAID COATED SIDE PANELS SO THAT IN THE COLLAPSED POSITION OF SAID BLANK, ALL THE COATED PORTIONS THEREOF ARE DISPOSED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE COLLAPSE BLANK SO THAT SIMILAR COLLAPSED BLANKS MAY BE READILY STACKED ONE IN THE ERECTED POSITION OF SAID BLANK, A PLURALITY OF IN THE ERECTED POSITION OF SAID BLANK, A PLURALITY OF SIMILARLY ERECTED BOXES MAY BE CLUSTERED IN EITHER SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP OR STACKED RELATIONSHIP ONE ON THE OTHER. 